No expensive school supplies, DepEd urges schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) is urging all public schools to refrain from requiring expensive school supplies for students as classes begin on June 13.

The DepEd made the call together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) during the special monitoring activity for school supplies in bookstores around Recto Avenue, Manila on Tuesday.

DepEd Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Atty. Tonisito M.C. Umali called on the administrators of public schools to refrain from prescribing any branded or expensive school supplies which contribute to budgetary constraints of parents, especially those with children studying in public schools.

"Makakaasa po kayo na ang ating mga pampublikong paaralan ay hindi mag-oobliga ng mga mamahaling school supplies. (Rest assured that our public schools will not require expensive school supplies) No specific type or brand of school supplies will be required," said Umali.

"Maski po yung mga lumang kwaderno na spiral na may sobrang pahina na hindi nagamit noong nakaraang taon ay pwedeng pagsama-samahin at tahiin (All the unused pages of old notebooks in the previous school year can still be compiled and sewn together),” he added.

The DepEd official recommended the "Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies" released by the DTI to properly guide consumers in their purchase of school supplies. The link is posted on the official website and social media accounts of DepEd.

The special monitoring activity for school supplies was spearheaded by the DTI, together with representatives from DepEd, Department of Health-Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA), Local Government Unit-Manila and Senator Bam Aquino.

The monitoring team reported stable and reasonable prices of school supplies. (PNA)